From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
What You Might Have Missed: Store Closures, Tiffany CEO Leaves
The Jewelers Board of Trade released its full-year data for business closings last year while Tiffany announced that its CEO is out.

New York--The Jewelers Board of Trade’s full-year numbers for business closings in 2016 and the announcement that Tiffany’s CEO was exiting amid lagging sales were the two most popular stories on National Jeweler last week.
1. 1,564 Jewelry Businesses Ceased Operations in 2016
The figure from the Jewelers Board of Trade includes the U.S. and Canada and represents a 64 percent increase over the prior year.
2. Tiffany CEO Frederic Cumenal Is Out
He stepped down, effective immediately, with former CEO Michael Kowalski serving as interim CEO while the jeweler searches for a replacement.
3. Pandora Cut No. of Multi-Branded Retailers by 32% in 2016
In the Americas, the network shrunk by more than 50 percent, including 200 Jared stores that were converted into shop-in-shops.
4. The Malaise of Macy’s
One of Macy’s biggest problems has been its inability to convert Kaufmann’s shoppers, Editor-in-Chief (and Western Pennsylvania native) Michelle Graff wrote.
5. Live from Tucson: 9 Gemstone Market Updates
Gemworld International’s Richard Drucker tackled trends, memo and grading reports for colored gemstones in a seminar at the recently concluded AGTA GemFair.
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Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


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The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

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The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

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Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

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The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.























